Israel sees ‘Adir’ F-35, with indigenous cyber defenses, as ‘upgrade’

Israel celebrated its version of the F-35 Joint Strike Figher, named “Adir” (“Mighty”) in Hebrew, at the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas on June 22.

The first Israeli F-35 was rolled out on June 22 at Lockheed Martin’s production plant at Fort Worth, Texas. / Lockheed Martin

Israel will increase the number of F-35 Adir fighters it receives from the United States and plans to install its own cyber defenses on the stealth aircraft, the air force’s chief of staff said.

An agreement was reached with U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin enabling the Israel Air Force (IAF) to create Israeli cyber defense solutions for the F-35s, Chief of Staff Brig.-Gen. Tal Kelman said on June 21.

The IAF chief was impressed with the F-35s abilities “across the board,” and said the stealth aircraft would “significantly upgrade” Israel’s ability to defend itself.